CataniaCastiglione di Sicilia.
A Greek colony, founded in 496 BC by exiles from the ancient Naxos, it was destroyed by Dionysius the Elder, the tyrant of Syracuse. An Arab stronghold, città regia (royal town) under the Normans, and città animosa (valorous town), a title it still boasts of in the town coat of arms, under the Swabians, it eventually became a fief of Roger of Laurìa in 1283.

The town preserves its mediaeval aspect, dominated by the castle, of which some ruins still remain. The Piazza del Municipio is the town centre. From here we can walk up towards the Chiesa Madre, dedicated to St Peter, with its original Norman layout (it still possesses some of the outer walls and the semicylindrical apse with pensilearches). The interior has been completely redone; the bell-tower was added in 1709. Nearby is the Chiesa di San Benedetto (which contains the 18th c. Madonna and Child by Vito d'Anna in the high altar). The Piano di Sant'Antonio is surrounded by baroque constructions: the Palazzo Camardi and the 18th c. Chiesa di Sant'Antonio (fine marble inlaid work and the high altar in variegated marble). There are other 18th c. baroque palazzi, with balconies and figured corbels, in Via Federico II. The 18th c. Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Abate, in Via Catena, has a Greek cross layout and a cupola; there is a Madonna of the Gagini school in the high altar. Near the river Alcantara is the little Byzantine Chiesa di Santa Domenica, quadrangular in shape, with a nave and two aisles, pilasters and a false cupola. In the direction of Francavilla is the 14th c. Chiesa di San Nicolò.